Is this an actual remake with updated graphics, additional content and side-quests or is it just the exact same game with a few minor alterations being re-released? I'm wary, since the character booster strikes me as being another optional gimmick that will eliminate what challenge exists in the game. That's not to say that I found Final Fantasy 7 to be particularly hard, mind you, though a few bosses were pretty formidable.

Its exactly the same game that was released like 15 years ago. It is in no way what so ever a remake. They want to make more money and are hoping this will ignite a giant influx of revenue through character boosting.

It has a character booster built in...that's the height of stupidity in a game series where you're meant to progress in power along with the storyline (and FFVII was never actually hard in the first place).

A few weeks ago someone high up in Square Enix said they wont make an FF7 remake until a new FF game tops the original.

That hasn't stopped them from remaking the earlier titles, however. Did they specify regarding how exactly they expect a game to 'top' Final Fantasy 7? I mean, most of the main titles have been very successful in terms of sales and gaining a cult following.